Abbott 'embarrassing' at Davos: Shorten

Mr Abbott took a swipe at Labor's stimulus package during the global financial crisis at the summit in Davos in Switzerland, in a departure from the convention of avoiding domestic point scoring while on the world stage.

He accused the former Labor government of trying to spend its way to prosperity.

Mr Shorten condemned the speech.

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"What an embarrassing performance it was," he told reporters in Melbourne.

He showed no vision for Australia's future and demonstrated he was still thinking like an opposition leader, Mr Shorten said.

"Tony Abbott had a chance to showcase Australia and instead he chose to take the low road and play domestic politics on the international stage."